The Brotonne regional natural park was created in 1974 and covers 65,600 hectares of the Eure and Seine Maritime departments, with 68,316 inhabitants in 63 communes.

The park runs along the wide meanders of the lower river Seine, creating a green oasis between the industrial towns of Rouen and Le Havre.

The area is formed of three main landscape types - in the south and west is an area with many natural lakes, the "Marais Vernier", which was once a marsh before man's activities led to its reclamation for agriculture. The remaining marsh area is now carefully managed to create a balance between man and nature, and there are several nature reserves, such as the Manneville reserve, where Highland Cattle have been introduced to help maintain the unique environment.

In the eastern half of the park, to the south of the river is the Forest of Brotonne, an area of nearly 7,000 hectares, mostly growing beech trees.

The pays de Caux in the north is a chalk plateau dominating the river Seine and nowadays devoted to the production of cereal crops and linen.

The Seine has always been an important means of transport and power, and it is for this reason that there are numerous abbeys, some whole, some ruined, along the river valley here; St Georges de Boscherville, Jumieges, St Wandrille… And writers and artists have come seeking inspiration from the abbeys and quiet towns of the area.